Collapsible portable projection screen



June 13, M H. MULLER 3,324,928

COLLAPSIBLE PORTABLE PROJECTION SCREEN Filed June 29, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l H. MULLER June 13, 1196? COLLAPSIBLE PORTABLE PROJECTION SCREEN 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 29, 1964 3,324,928 COLLAPSHBLE PORTABLE PROJECTION SCREEN Hermann Miiller, Munich, Germany, assignor to Agfa Airtiengesellschaft, Leverkusen-Bayerwerk, Germany, a corporation of Germany Filed June 29, 1964, Ser. No. 378,753 7 Claims. (Cl. 160-24) This invention is directed to a collapsible portable projection screen of the type disclosed in Hermann Muller Patent No. 3,087,535, issued Apr. 30, 1963, and constitutes an improvement t-hereove-r.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved collapsible portable projection screen of this general type which is simple and inexpensive in construction, which may be readily assembled, which may be easily manipulated for picture exhibiting and storage or transportation purposes, and which is foolproof in operation.

Briefly, the collapsible portable projection screen of this invention includes a hollow supporting post with a first member slidably mounted in the supporting post and projecting upwardly therefrom. A pair of arms is pivotally connected at their inner ends to the upwardly projecting first member and a pair of links is pivotally connected to the supporting post and to the pair of arms intermediate the ends thereof. A flexible screen is connected at one end to a spring wound roller on which it is normally rolled and is connected at its other end to a suspension slat, the spring wound roller and the suspension slat being substantially parallel to the supporting post.

The spring wound roller and the suspension slat are pivotally connected to the outer ends of the arms so that said first member is raised and the flexible screen is rolled on the spring wound roller and the spring wound roller and the suspension slat are positioned adjacent the supporting post when the pair of arms is collapsed along the supporting post, and so that said first member is lowered and the spring wound roller and the suspension slat are positioned away from the supporting post and the flexible screen is unrolled from the spring wound roller when the pair of arms is extended late-rally and over center from the supporting post.

The supporting post also slidably mounts a second member projecting downwardly from the post. A plurality of legs are pivotally connected at their upper ends to the supporting post and a plurality of links are pivotally connected to the downwardly projecting second member and to the plurality of legs intermediate the ends thereof, the plurality of legs being collapsed to a position substantially parallel to the supporting post when said second member is raised and being extended outwardly to stand the supporting post on a surface when the second member is lowered. Spring means are arranged within the supporting post and connections are provided between the spring means and the first member and the second member for resiliently urging the first member downwardly and the second member upwardly and allowing relative movement between the first and second members. More specifically, the spring means is connected between the first and second members.

When the projection screen is in its collapsed position for transportation and storage purposes, the spring wound roller and suspension slat are adjacent the supporting post, the flexible screen is rolled on the spring wound roller, the first member is raised, and the spring means resiliently holds the second member in its raised position to hold the legs in their collapsed position, the various parts being held in these positions by the spring force of the spring wound roller. To set up the collapsible portable projection screen for picture exhibiting purposes, the

States Patent spring wound roller and suspension slat are manually moved apart and away from the supporting post and, in so doing, the arms are extended and the first member is lowered, the spring means in the supporting post, in conjunction With the changing leverage of the arms, aiding in this movement and compensating for the increasing spring force of the spring wound roller as the flexible screen is being unrolled. During the latter part of this screen opening movement, the first member engages the second member positively to move the latter downwardly to extend the legs for supporting the projection screen in picture exhibiting position upon the fioor or other supporting surface.

When the projection screen is in picture exhibiting position, the extended arms have been moved over center, and stop means on the supporting post and the first member maintain the picture exhibiting position. The projection screen may also be provided with means for independently tensioning the flexible screen in picture exhi -biting position to present a tensioned and flat screen surface. This tensioning means may comprise suitable means, such as a knob and releasable locking means associated therewith, for independently rotating and releasably locking the spring wound roller.

To collapse the projection screen for transportation or storage purposes, the separated spring wound roller and suspension slat are grasped and first pushed downwardly to start upward movement of the first member and reverse over center movement of the arms. When the arms are so moved over center, the spring force of the Spring wound roller causes rolling of the flexible screen on the spring wound roller and collapsing of the spring wound roller and suspension slat to a position adjacent the supporting post. This also causes continued raising of the first member. Since there is no positive connection between the first member and the second member, the legs may remain extended and in firm contact with the floor or other supporting surface during the return over center movement of the arms and the initial movement of the first member. However, during the final part of the upwa-rd movement of the first member, the spring means in the supporting post resiliently pulls the second member upwardly to collapse the legs as the spring wound roller and suspension slat are being collapsed.

Further objects of this invention reside in the details of construction of the collapsible portable projection screen and in the cooperative relationships between component parts thereof.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the accompanying specification, claims and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a rear view of the collapsible portable projection screen of this invention illustrating the same in extended position for picture exhibiting purposes;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the collapsible portable projection screen during the collaps ing movement toward a collapsed position for storage or transportation purposes;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the lower right hand portions of FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating the means for independently tensioning the flexible screen of the projection screen;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the projection screen in .the extended position as illustrated in the center of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the projection screen in partial collapsed position as illustrated in the center of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 but illustrating the projection screen in its collapsed position for storage and transportation purposes.

The collapsible portable projection screen of this invention is generally designated at and it includes a hollow supporting post 11 and a hollow first member 12 slidably mounted in the supporting post 11. The first member 12 extends upwardly beyond the supporting post 11 and a bracket 13 is suitably secured .to the upwardly extending portion thereof. The bracket 13 is provided with a shoulder 14 which is adapted to engage a shoulder 15 on the supporting post 11 when the projection screen is extended for picture exhibiting purposes as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4. The first member 12 also extends below the supporting post 11 when it is in a lowered position as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. A pair of arms 16 is pivotally connected by pivot pins 17 to the bracket 13 and hence to the upwardly projecting portion of the first member 12. A bracket 18 is fixedly secured to the outside of the supporting post 11 below the top thereof. A pair of links 19 is pivotally connected at 20 to the bracket 18 and at 21 to the arms 16 intermediate the ends .thereof.

The collapsible portable projection screen 10 also includes a spring wound roller 25 which is rotatably mounted in a screen case 26. One end of a flexible screen 27 is secured to the roller 25 and a spring 28 operates to rotate the roller 25 for the purpose of rolling the flexible screen 27 onto the roller 25. The other end of the flexible screen 27 is suitably secured to a suspension slat 29. When the suspension slat 29 is moved away from the spring Wound roller 25 the flexible screen 27 is unrolled from the roller 25 against the action of the roller spring 28. When the suspension slat 29 is moved towards the roller 25 the spring 28 rotates the roller 25 to roll the flexible screen 27 onto the roller 25. The spring 28 always resiliently biases the roller 25 to roll the flexible screen 27 on the roller 25. The screen case 26 and hence the flexible roller 25 are pivotally connected at 30 to the outer end of one of the arms 16 and the suspension slat 29 is pivotally connected at 31 to the outer end of the other arm 16. The screen case 26 and the suspension slat 29 are provided with handles 32 which may be grasped for the purpose of moving the suspension slat 29 with respect to the spring wound roller 25, toward each other and away from each other.

When the projection screen is in collapsed position for storage and transportation purposes, the spring wound roller 25 and the suspension slat 29 are brought together adjacent the supporting post 11 as illustrated in FIG. 6, the spring wound roller 25 and the suspension slat 29 being substantially parallel to the supporting post 11 and the spring 28 operating to maintain the parts in this collapsed position. When the spring wound roller 25 and the suspension slat 29 are separated, the arms 16 are extended and at the latter part of this extending movement the arms 16 swing over center as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 and the shoulders 14 and 15 engage each other to position the projection screen for picture exhibiting purposes. As .the spring wound roller 25 and the suspension slat 29 are so manipulated and the arms 16 so moved, the first member 12 slidably moves upwardly and downwardly within the supporting post 11.

The collapsible portable projection screen 10 also includes a second member 35 which is slidably movable within the supporting post 11, the second member 35 projecting downwardly from .the supporting post 11. In the specific form here illustrated, the second member 35 is slidably mounted in the first member 12 which in turn is slidably mounted in the supporting post 11. The two members 35 and 12 are movable with respect to each other. Rigidly secured to the bottom of the supporting post 11 is a bracket 36 and the upper ends of a plurality of legs 37 are pivotally connected to this bracket 36 as indicated at 38. The lower end of the second member 35 carries a bracket 39 to which are pivotally connected the inner ends of a plurality of links 40 as indicated at 41. The outer ends of the links 40 are pivotally connected 4 at 42 to the legs 36 intermediate the ends thereof. For purposes of illustration, three legs 37 and links 40 are utilized to provide the collapsible stand for the projection screen. At least one of the pivots 42 may be provided with a spring 44 for normally tending to urge the legs 37 to the extended position as illustrated in FIG. 4.

The first member 12 and the second member 35 are connected together with a spring 43, the spring 43 being a tension spring in the form of the invention here disclosed. The spring 43 operates to resiliently bias the first member 12 downwardly and the second member 35 upwardly, but permitting relative movement between these members. When the second member 35 is moved upwardly, the legs 37 are collapsed to a position substantially parallel to the supporting post 11 as illustrated in FIG. 6 and, when the second member 35 is moved downwardly, the legs 37 are extended as illustrated in FIG. 4 for the purpose of supporting the projection screen on the floor or other suitable supporting surface.

The collapsible portable projection screen is illustrated in its collapsed position for transportation and storage purposes in FIG. 6. The screen case 26 and the spring wound roller 25 therein and the suspension slat 29 are adjacent the supporting post 11, the flexible screen 27 is rolled on the spring wound roller 25, the first member 12 is raised, and the spring 43 resiliently holds the second member 35 in its raised position to hold the legs 37 in their collapsed position. The various parts are held in these positions by the spring force of the spring 28 of the spring wound roller 25. To set up the projection screen for picture exhibiting purposes, the handles 32 are grasped and the screen case 26 (with the spring wound roller 25 therein) and the suspension slat 29 are manually moved apart and away from the supporting post 11 and, in so doing, the arms 1.6 are extended and the first member 12 is lowered. The spring means 43 in the supporting post acts in conjunction with the changing leverage of the arms 16 for aiding in this movement and for compensating for the increased spring force of the spring 28 in the spring wound roller as the flexible screen 27 is being unrolled from the roller. During the latter part of this screen opening movement, the lower end of the first member 12 engages the bracket 39 on the second member 35 to move the second member downwardly to extend the legs 37 for supporting the projection screen in picture exhibiting position upon the floor or other supporting surface as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4. When the projection screen is in picture exhibiting position, the extended arms 16 have been moved over center and the stop means or shoulders 15 and 14 on the supporting post 11 and the bracket 13 operate to maintain this picture exhibiting position. Here, both the spring 28 of the spring wound roller and the spring 43 operate to maintain this picture exhibiting position.

To collapse the projection screen for transportation or storage purposes, the handles 32 on the separated screen case 26 and suspension slat 29 are grasped and first pushed downwardly to start upward movement of the first member 12 and reverse over center movement of the arms 16. When the arms 16 are so moved over center as illustrated in FIG. 5, the spring force of the spring 28 in the spring wound roller 25 causes rolling of the flexible screen 27 on the spring wound roller 25 and collapsing of the screen case 26 and the suspension slat 29 to a position adjacent the supporting post 11 as illustrated in FIG. 6. This also causes continued raising of the first member 12. Since there is no positive connection between the first member 12 and the second member 35, the legs 37 may remain extended and in firm contact with the floor or other supporting surface during the return over center movement of the arms 16 and the initial movement of the first member 12 as illustrated in FIG. 5. Thus, there is no positive force tending to collapse the legs 37 during the pushing downwardly on the handles and this initial movement of the first member 12. A very stable operation in collapsing the projection screen is thereby provided. However, during the final part of the upward movement of the first member 12 from the position illustrated in FIG. 5 to the position illustrated in FIG. 6, the spring means 43 in the supporting post 11 resiliently pulls the second member 35 upwardly to collapse the legs 37 as the screen case 26 and suspension slat 29 are being collapsed adjacent the supporting post 11.

When the collapsible portable projection screen is in its extended picture exhibiting position, provision is made for independently tensioning the flexible screen 27 to present a tensioned and flat screen surface. In this connection, reference is made to FIG. 3 wherein a shaft 46, which is secured to the spring wound roller 25 and which journals the roller 25 for rotation in the screen case 26, extends outwardly beyond the end of the screen case 26. A knob 47 is suitably secured to the shaft 46 so that by manipulating the knob 47 the spring wound roller 25 may be rotated A plunger 48 is mounted within the knob 47 and the spring 49 urges the plunger 48 outwardly. The plunger 48 has a projection 50 which is adapted to enter one of a plurality of holes 51 formed in the end wall of the screen case 26 and concentrically arranged about the shaft 46. Thus, the knob 47 may be manually rotated to rotate the roller 25 to roll the flexible screen 27 thereon and, hence, tension the flexible screen. When the desired amount of tension is thus applied to the flexible screen 27, the plunger 48 is depressed to cause its projection 50 to enter one of the holes 51 to lock the knob 47 and, hence, the spring wound roller 25 in that position with the desired amount of tension applied to the flexible screen 27. This tensioning of the flexible screen 27 by this mean is made possible by the stop members and 14 engaging each other in picture exhibiting position. To release the tension on the flexible screen 27, all that is necessary is to rotate the knob 47 a slight amount in the tensioning direction whereupon the spring 49 pushes the plunger 48 outwardly to release the projection 50 from the hole 51.

While for purposes of illustration one form of this invention has been disclosed, other forms thereof may become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to this disclosure and, therefore, this invention should be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A collapsible portable projection screen comprising a supporting post, a first member slidably carried by the supporting post, a spring wound roller substantially parallel to the supporting post, a suspension slat substantially parallel to the supporting post, a flexible screen connected to the spring wound roller and the suspension slat and normally rolled on the spring wound roller, a plurality of arms each pivotally connected adjacent one end to the first member and connected adjacent the other end to the spring wound roller and suspension slat, respectively, a plurality of links each pivotally connected adjacent one end to an arm and adjacent to the other end to said supporting post, said arms and said links being arranged for moving said first member in one direction and for positioning said spring wound roller and suspension slat in one position adjacent the supporting post, and for moving said first member in the other direction and for positioning said spring wound roller and suspension slat in another position away from the supporting post, a second member slidably carried :by said supporting post, a plurality of legs each pivotally connected at one end to said supporting post, a plurality of links each pivotally connected adjacent one end to a leg and adjacent the other end to said second member, said second member being moved in one direction for positioning said legs in one position substantially parallel to said supporting post and said second member being moved in the other direction for positioning the legs in another position extending away from the supporting post, spring means operatively connected between said first member and said second member for resiliently urging said first member in said other direction and allowing relative movement between said first and second members, said first member engaging said second member for causing positive movement of said second member in said other direction when said first member is moved in said other direction and said spring means causing movement of said second member in said one direction when said first member is moved in said one direction.

2. A collapsible portable projection screen comprising a supporting post, a first member slidably carried by the supporting post, a spring wound roller substantially parallel to the supporting post, a suspension slat substantially parallel to the supporting post, a flexible screen connected to the spring wound roller and the suspension slat and normally rolled on the spring Wound roller, arm means each pivotally secured at one end to the first member and at the other end to the spring wound roller and suspension slat, respectively, link means each pivotally connected adjacent one end to an arm means and adjacent the other end to said supporting post, said arm means and sink link means being arranged for moving said first member in one direction and for positioning said spring wound roller and suspension slat in one position adjacent the supporting post, and for moving said first member in the other direction and for positioning said spring wound roller and suspension slat in another position away from the supporting post, a second member slid-ably carried by said supporting post, a plurality of legs each pivotally connected adjacent one end to said supporting post, a plurality of links each pivotally connected adjacent one end to a leg and adjacent the other end to said second member for positioning said legs in one position substantially parallel to said supporting post and moving with said second member in one direction, and for positioning said legs in another position extending away from the supporting post and moving with said second member in the other direction, and a spring connected between said first member and said second member for resiliently urging said first member in said other direction and said second member in said one direction and allowing relative movement between said first and second members, said first member engaging said second member for positively moving said second member in said other direction when said first member is moved in said other direction, and said spring resiliently moving said second member in said one direction when said first member is moved in said one direction.

3. A collapsible portable projection screen comprising a hollow supporting post, a tubular first member slidably mounted in the supporting post and projection upwardly therefrom, a pair of arms each pivotally connected at their inner ends to the upwardly projecting first member, a pair of links each pivotally connected to the supporting post and to an arm intermediate the end thereof, the arms being movable from a storage position adjacent the supporting post and below a generally horizontal line through the pivotal connections of the arms to the first member to a laterally extending position over center and above said generally horizontal line a spring wound roller substantially parallel to the supporting post, a suspension slat substantially parallel to the supporting post, a flexible screen connected at one end to the spring wound roller and at its other end to the suspension slat and normally rolled on the spring wound roller, first means pivotally connecting the spring wound roller to the onters end of one arm and second means pivotally connecting the suspension slat to the outer end of the other arm, said elements being constructed and arranged so as to raise said first member and roll the flexible screen on the spring wound roller and position the spring wound roller and suspension slat adjacent the supporting post when said pair of arms are collapsed along the supporting post, and to lower said first member and position the spring wound roller and the suspension slat away from the supporting post and unroll and flexible screen from the spring wound roller to picture exhibiting position when said pair of arms are extended laterally and over center from the supporting post, a second member slidably mounted in the first member and projecting downwardly therefrom, a plurality of legs pivotally connected at their upper ends to the supporting post, a plurality of links each pivotally connected at one end to the downwardly projecting second member and at the other end to a leg intermediate the ends thereof, said plurality of legs being collapsed to a position substantially parallel to the supporting post when said second member is raised and being extended outwardly to stand the supporting post on a surface when said second member is lowered, spring means in said first member operatively connected between said first member and said second member for resiliently urging said first member downwardly and allowing relative movement between said first and second members, said first member causing positive downward movement of said second member when said first member is moved downwardly and said spring means causing upward movement of said second member when said first member is moved upwardly.

4. A collapsible portable projection screen comprising a hollow supporting post, a first member slidably mounted in the supporting post and projecting upwardly therefrom, a pair of arms each. pivotally connected at their inner ends to the upwardly projecting first member, a pair of links each pivotally connected at one end to the supporting post and at the other end to an arm intermediate the ends thereof the arms being movable from a storage position adjacent the supporting post and below a generally horizontal line through the pivotal connections of the arms to the first member to a laterally extending position over center and above said generaly horizontal line a spring wound roller substantially parallel to the supporting post, .a suspension slat substantially parallel to the supporting post, a flexible screen connected at one end to the spring Wound roller and at its other end to the suspension slat and normally rolled on the spring wound roller, means pivotally connecting the spring wound roller and the suspension slat, respectively, to the outer end of an arm said arms and said links being constructed and arranged so as to raise said first member and roll the flexible screen on the spring wound roller and position the spring wound roller and suspension slat adjacent the supporting post when said pair of arm are collapsed along the supporting post, and to lower said first member and position the spring wound roller and the suspension slat away from the supporting post and unroll the flexible screen from the spring wound roller to picture exhibiting position when said pair of arms are extended laterally and over center from the supporting post, a second member slidably mounted in the supporting post and projecting downwardly therefrom, a plurality of legs each pivotally connected at their upper ends to the supporting post, a plurality of links each pivotally connected to the down wardly projecting second member and to a leg intermediate the ends thereof, said plurality :of legs being collapsed to a position substantially parallel to the supporting post when said second member is raised and being extended outwardly to stand the supporting post on a surface when said second member is lowered, and a spring in said supporting post connected between said first member and said second member for resiliently urging said first member downwardly and said second member upwardly and allowing relative movement between said first member and said second member, said first member engaging said second member for positively moving said second member downwardly when the first member is moved downwardly, and said spring resiliently moving said second member upwardly when the first member is moved upwardly.

5. A collapsible portable projection screen comprising a supporting post, a first member slidably carried. by

the supporting post, a spring wound roller substantially parallel to the supporting post, a suspension slat substantially parallel to the supporting post, a flexible screen connected to the spring wound roller and the suspension slat and normally rolled on the spring wound roller, a plurality of arms each pivotally connected adjacent one end to the first member and adjacent the other end to the spring wound roller and suspension slat, respectively, a plurality of links each pivotally connected between an arm and said supporting post, said arms and said links being arranged for moving said first member in one direction and for positioning said spring wound roller and suspension slat in one position adjacent the supporting post, and for moving said first member in the other direction and for positioning said spring wound roller and suspension slat in another position away from the supporting post, the arms being movable from a storage position adjacent the supporting post and below a generally horizontal line through the pivotal connections of the arms to the first member to a laterally extending position over center and above said generally horizontal line a second member slidably carried by said supporting post, a plurality of legs connected to said supporting post, a plurality of links each pivotally connected between a leg and said second member for positioning said legs in one position substantially parallel to said supporting post and moving with said second member in one direction, and for positioning said legs in another position extending away from the supporting post and moving with said second member in the other direction, spring means, operatively connected between said first member and said second member for resiliently urging said first member in said other direction and allowing relative movement between said first and second members, said first member engaging said second member for causing positive movement of said second member in said other direction when said first member is moved in said other direction, and said spring means causing movement of said second member in said one direction when said first member is moved in said one direction, said arms being moved over center when said spring would roller and suspenion slat are positioned in said other position, stop means for limiting movement of said arms after they have been moved over center, and means for independently tensioning said flexible screen when said spring wound roller and suspension slat are positioned in said other position.

6. A collapsible portable projection screen comprising a supporting post, a first member slidably carried by the supporting post and extending outwardly therefrom, a spring wound roller substantially parallel to the supporting post, a suspension slat substantially parallel to the supporting post, a flexible screen connected to the spring wound roller and the suspension slat and normally rolled on the spring wound roller, a plurality of arms each pivotally connected between the first member and the spring wound roller and suspension slat respectively, a plurality of links each pivotally connected between an arm and said supporting post, said arms and said links being arranged for moving said first member in one direction and for positioning said spring wound roller and suspension slat in one position adjacent the supporting post, and for moving said first member in the other direction and for positioning said spring wound roller and suspension slat in another position away from the supporting post, the arms being movable from a storage position adjacent the supporting post and below a generally horizontal line through the pivotal connections of the arms to the first member to a laterally extending position over center and above said generally horizontal line, a second member slidably carried by said supporting post, a plurality of legs connected to said supporting post, a plurality of links each pivotally connected between a leg and said second member for positioning said legs in one position substantially parallel to said supporting post and moving with said second member in one direction, and for positioning said legs in another position extending away from the supporting post and moving with said second member in the other direction, spring means operatively connected between said first member and said second member for resiliently urging said first member in said other direction and allowing relative movement between said first and second members, said first member engaging said second member for causing positive movement of said second member in said other direction when said first member is moved in said other direction, and said spring means causing movement of said second member in said one direction when said first member is moved in said one direction, said arms being moved over center when said spring wound roller and suspension slat are positioned in said other position, stop means for limiting movement of said arms after they have been moved over center, and means for independently rotating and releasably locking said spring wound roller when said spring wound roller and suspension slat are positioned in said other position for independently tensioning said flexible screen.

7. A collapsible portable projection screen comprising a supporting post, a tubular first member slidably carried in the supporting post and extending above said sup porting post, a spring wound roller substantially parallel to the supporting post, a suspension slat substantially parallel to the supporting post, a flexible screen connected to the spring wound roller and the suspension slat and normally rolled on the spring wound roller, arm means each pivotally secured at one end to the first member and at the other end to the spring wound roller and suspension slat, respectively, link means each pivotally connected between an arm means and said supporting post, said arm means and said link means being arranged for moving said first member in one direction and for positioning said spring wound roller and suspension slat in one position adjacent the supporting post, and for moving said first member in the other direction and for positioning said spring wound roller and suspension slat in another position away from the supporting post, a second member slidably carried in said first member and extending below said first member, a plurality of legs each pivotally connected adjacent one end to said supporting post, a plurality of links each pivotally connected adjacent one end to said second member and adjacent the other end to a leg, said second member being movable in one direction for positioning said legs in one position substantially parallel to said supporting post said second member being movable in said other direction for positioning said legs in another position extending away from the supporting post, and a spring connected between said first member and said second member for resiliently urging said first member in said other direction and said second member in said one direction and allowing relative movement between said first and second members, said first member engaging said second member for positively moving said second member in said other direction when said first member is moved in said other direction, and said spring resiliently moving said second member in said one direction when said first member is moved in said one direction.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 816,905 5/1906 Erickson 248-l71 X 2,465,853 3/1949 Dalton 160-23 X 2,822,040 2/ l 8 Petrick et a1. -24 3,087,535 4/1963 Muller 160-24 FOREIGN PATENTS 220,851 4/ 1962 Austria.

' DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Examiner.

D. L. TAYLOR, Assistant Examine]; 

1. A COLLAPSIBLE PORTABLE PROJECTION SCREEN COMPRISING A SUPPORTING POST, A FIRST MEMBER SLIDABLY CARRIED BY THE SUPPORTING POST, A SPRING WOUND ROLLER SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE SUPPORTING POST, A SUSPENSION SLAT SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE SUPPORTING POST, A FLEXIBLE SCREEN CONNECTED TO THE SPRING WOUND ROLLER AND THE SUSPENSION SLAT AND NORMALLY ROLLED ON THE SPRING WOUND ROLLER, A PLURALITY OF ARMS EACH PIVOTALLY CONNECTED ADJACENT ONE END TO THE FIRST MEMBER AND CONNECTED ADJACENT THE OTHER END TO THE SPRING WOUND ROLLER AND SUSPENSION SLAT, RESPECTIVELY, A PLURALITY OF LINKS EACH PIVOTALLY CONNECTED ADJACENT ONE END TO AN ARM AND ADJACENT TO THE OTHER END TO SAID SUPPORTING POST, SAID ARMS AND SAID LINKS BEING ARRANGED FOR MOVING SAID FIRST MEMBER IN ONE DIRECTION AND FOR POSITIONING SAID SPRING WOUND ROLLER AND SUSPENSION SLAT IN ONE POSITION ADJACENT THE SUPPORTING POST, AND FOR MOVING SAID FIRST MEMBER IN THE OTHER DIRECTION AND FOR POSITIONING SAID SPRING WOUND ROLLER AND SUSPENSION SLAT IN ANOTHER POSITION AWAY FROM THE SUPPORTING POST, A SECOND MEMBER SLIDABLY CARRIED BY SAID SUPPORTING POST, A PLURALITY OF LEGS EACH PIVOTALLY CONNECTED AT ONE END TO SAID SUPPORTING POST, A PLURALITY OF LINKS EACH PIVOTALLY CONNECT ADJACENT ONE END TO A LEG AND ADJACENT THE OTHER END TO SAID SECOND MEMBER, SAID SECOND MEMBER BEING MOVED IN ONE DIRECTION FOR POSITIONING SAID LEGS IN ONE POSITION SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID SUPPORTING POST AND SAID SECOND MEMBER BEING MOVED IN THE OTHER DIRECTION FOR POSITIONING THE LEGS IN ANOTHER POSITION EXTENDING AWAY FROM THE SUPPORTING POST, SPRING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID FIRST MEMBER AND SAID SECOND MEMBER FOR RESILIENTLY URGING SAID FIRST MEMBER IN SAID OTHER DIRECTION AND ALLOWING RELATIVE 